At first look, one would possibly take into account the Lebanese nationwide
drink to be “arak,” that white, murky, anise-derived spirit associated to France’s
pastis and Italy’s sambuca. Dig a bit of deeper, nevertheless, and also you’d instantly
rethink: Lebanon boasts upward of 70 wineries spanning the Bekaa, Batroun,
Bhamdoun and Byblos areas. In my e-book, we’re unequivocally a wine-producing
nation.
drink to be “arak,” that white, murky, anise-derived spirit associated to France’s
pastis and Italy’s sambuca. Dig a bit of deeper, nevertheless, and also you’d instantly
rethink: Lebanon boasts upward of 70 wineries spanning the Bekaa, Batroun,
Bhamdoun and Byblos areas. In my e-book, we’re unequivocally a wine-producing
nation.
| Les Vignes du Marje is considered one of Lebanon’s latest wineries, and its house is Marjeyoun within the south |
Shocked? In response to Farrah Berrou,
founding father of B for Bacchus which host workshops and
tastings surrounding Lebanese wine, the variety of vineyards registered in 1990 was
a measly seven. Quick ahead to the millennium, and the tally reached 17. In
2010, it surged to 41, and by 2017, we hit 49. Meaning previously two years
alone, the speed of induction of latest wineries has grown by an element of seven!
founding father of B for Bacchus which host workshops and
tastings surrounding Lebanese wine, the variety of vineyards registered in 1990 was
a measly seven. Quick ahead to the millennium, and the tally reached 17. In
2010, it surged to 41, and by 2017, we hit 49. Meaning previously two years
alone, the speed of induction of latest wineries has grown by an element of seven!
 |
| Previously two years, Lebanon has witnessed an unprecedented progress within the variety of wineries |
One particularly, Les
Vignes du Marje, is worthy of shut consideration. Within the lower than one yr
since its launch in December 2018, Les Vignes du Marje has captured the discover
of wine connoisseurs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, grocers, and vino lovers alike.
It has participated in a wide selection of festivals and gala’s, from “Byblos en
Blanc et Rosé” in July to the approaching wine occasion of the yr, Vinifest, scheduled for October 2-5,
2019.
Vignes du Marje, is worthy of shut consideration. Within the lower than one yr
since its launch in December 2018, Les Vignes du Marje has captured the discover
of wine connoisseurs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, grocers, and vino lovers alike.
It has participated in a wide selection of festivals and gala’s, from “Byblos en
Blanc et Rosé” in July to the approaching wine occasion of the yr, Vinifest, scheduled for October 2-5,
2019.
 |
| Les Vignes du Marje has been actively taking part in wine festivals all through Lebanon, like Byblos en Blanc et Rosé pictured right here |
Right here’s the story behind the model, why it’s gaining
appreciable traction, and the way it’s poised to shortly outgrow boutique vineyard
standing very quickly.
appreciable traction, and the way it’s poised to shortly outgrow boutique vineyard
standing very quickly.
Carol Tayyar Khoury and her household had just lately returned to
Lebanon after practically 20 years of residing in Dubai. Eager on cultivating a plot
of land she owned in Jdeidet Marjeyoun, a city on the southern border from
whence she and her husband hail, she toyed with the concept of building a
vineyard. It might be the primary within the area and little doubt contribute to the
revitalization of native tourism. What’s extra, Khoury might compel her son and
daughter, presently of their 20s, to partake within the household enterprise.
Lebanon after practically 20 years of residing in Dubai. Eager on cultivating a plot
of land she owned in Jdeidet Marjeyoun, a city on the southern border from
whence she and her husband hail, she toyed with the concept of building a
vineyard. It might be the primary within the area and little doubt contribute to the
revitalization of native tourism. What’s extra, Khoury might compel her son and
daughter, presently of their 20s, to partake within the household enterprise.
 |
| Founder and managing accomplice Carol Khoury pictured with (left to proper) husband Imad Khoury, Lebanese Business Minister Vreij Sabonjian, son Christopher Khoury, and mom Aida Tayyar |
Decided to make her mark, Khoury enlisted the assistance of a
wine guide to review the viability of the soil. As soon as that had been affirmed,
greater than half a dozen grape varietals had been planted, primarily Syrah, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
wine guide to review the viability of the soil. As soon as that had been affirmed,
greater than half a dozen grape varietals had been planted, primarily Syrah, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
Marjeyoun’s scorching summers and inclement winters render an
ideally suited local weather for the expansion of the grape vines, leading to 5 distinctive
manufacturers of wine.
ideally suited local weather for the expansion of the grape vines, leading to 5 distinctive
manufacturers of wine.
The 2018 white has been described by the distinguished Nicolas
wine store in Achrafieh as possessing an
“expressive nostril and floral aromas” paying homage to “Gewürztraminer Alsace
wine.”
wine store in Achrafieh as possessing an
“expressive nostril and floral aromas” paying homage to “Gewürztraminer Alsace
wine.”
 |
| Vin du Marje white 2018 |
Rosé 2018 is fruity, recent, daring and vivacious. Its hue is a
conspicuously deeper pink than typical Lebanese rosés.
conspicuously deeper pink than typical Lebanese rosés.
 |
| Vin du Marje rosé 2018 |
Classically, you may decide the standard of a vineyard by
its reds, and people of Les Vignes du Marje aren’t any exception. Presently there
are three pink wines out there, the primary of which is Le Vin du Marje 2016, a
full-bodied wine tinted deep purple with notes of pink fruits and raspberries on
the nostril.
its reds, and people of Les Vignes du Marje aren’t any exception. Presently there
are three pink wines out there, the primary of which is Le Vin du Marje 2016, a
full-bodied wine tinted deep purple with notes of pink fruits and raspberries on
the nostril.
 |
| Vin du Marje pink 2016 |
Le Rouge du Marje 2013 is a restricted version wine aged for 12
months in oak barrels, leading to a balanced style with lush tannins. Copywriter
and journalist Sandra Skriver describes Le Rouge du Marje lyrically: “the nostril
could be very elegant, whereas the alcohol lingers in a easy and alluring manner. The Merlot is certainly the star on this mix, and it’s allowed to shine. It’s
the entrance in an enthralling trinity, the place the Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah do a
lovely job as backup singers.”
months in oak barrels, leading to a balanced style with lush tannins. Copywriter
and journalist Sandra Skriver describes Le Rouge du Marje lyrically: “the nostril
could be very elegant, whereas the alcohol lingers in a easy and alluring manner. The Merlot is certainly the star on this mix, and it’s allowed to shine. It’s
the entrance in an enthralling trinity, the place the Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah do a
lovely job as backup singers.”
 |
| Le Rouge du Marje Restricted Launch pink 2013 |
Maybe essentially the most formidable of the trio is Couvent de M, the
pink chateau 2013 which blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot to supply a
finely aged wine with a velvety texture and ruby-red look.
pink chateau 2013 which blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot to supply a
finely aged wine with a velvety texture and ruby-red look.
 |
| Couvent de M pink château 2013 |
As of now, Les Vignes du Marje has an annual quantity of 10,000
bottles, however that quantity is predicted to ramp up remarkably as demand climbs.
You’ll find the label at numerous factors of sale, from gourmand epiceries like Vinothèque,
Aziz, La Cigale, Cease & Store, and Le Goût Frais, to nice eating
establishments comparable to Cocteau, Le Phoenician, EL Boutique Lodge, Resto Museum
Sursock, Gefinor Rotana Lodge, Le Mythe, La Petite Maison, Le Petit Gris, Metropole
Brasserie, Bergerac, Slate and Le Maillon, to call however a number of. On-line
cellars 209 Lebanese Wine and Vinileb additionally carry the model. For a
complete listing, go to Les Vignes du Marje’s devoted Instagram page. Equally,
you may place an order for the wine instantly via their website. The white and
rosé every instructions a worth of USD 12, whereas the reds differ from USD 13 to USD 30.
bottles, however that quantity is predicted to ramp up remarkably as demand climbs.
You’ll find the label at numerous factors of sale, from gourmand epiceries like Vinothèque,
Aziz, La Cigale, Cease & Store, and Le Goût Frais, to nice eating
establishments comparable to Cocteau, Le Phoenician, EL Boutique Lodge, Resto Museum
Sursock, Gefinor Rotana Lodge, Le Mythe, La Petite Maison, Le Petit Gris, Metropole
Brasserie, Bergerac, Slate and Le Maillon, to call however a number of. On-line
cellars 209 Lebanese Wine and Vinileb additionally carry the model. For a
complete listing, go to Les Vignes du Marje’s devoted Instagram page. Equally,
you may place an order for the wine instantly via their website. The white and
rosé every instructions a worth of USD 12, whereas the reds differ from USD 13 to USD 30.
 |
| Couvent de M is the “haut de gamme” of Les Vignes du Marje and fetches a worth of USD 30 |
The more and more widespread availability of Les Vignes du Marje
is simply outpaced by the deluge of testimonials flooding in from each locals and
vacationers to Lebanon. One French customer named Olivier de Croizant wrote the
following:
is simply outpaced by the deluge of testimonials flooding in from each locals and
vacationers to Lebanon. One French customer named Olivier de Croizant wrote the
following:
“De passage au Liban
pour les vacances en famille, nous avons acheté votre vin blanc. De retour en
France, nous l’avons bu avec des amis et nous tenions tous à vous féliciter
pour la qualité de ce vin subtil, vif et fruité à la fois. Encore bravo à vous,
sans oublier la boutique qui nous l’a vendu (Vinothèque à Achrafieh) automotive de
très bon conseil.”
pour les vacances en famille, nous avons acheté votre vin blanc. De retour en
France, nous l’avons bu avec des amis et nous tenions tous à vous féliciter
pour la qualité de ce vin subtil, vif et fruité à la fois. Encore bravo à vous,
sans oublier la boutique qui nous l’a vendu (Vinothèque à Achrafieh) automotive de
très bon conseil.”
“Whereas on trip in
Lebanon, we bought your white wine. Upon returning to France, we drank the
wine with associates, and all of us needed to congratulate you for the standard of
this at-once refined, full of life and fruity wine. Props to you, with out failing to
point out the boutique (Vinothèque) that properly really useful this wine.”
Lebanon, we bought your white wine. Upon returning to France, we drank the
wine with associates, and all of us needed to congratulate you for the standard of
this at-once refined, full of life and fruity wine. Props to you, with out failing to
point out the boutique (Vinothèque) that properly really useful this wine.”
If any nation and its folks might be collectively deemed
authorities on wine, it’s France and the French, and this gentleman’s voluntary
suggestions speaks volumes in regards to the excellent potential Les Vignes du Marje
already holds.
 |
| Wine aficionados having fun with Les Vignes du Marje at an unique occasion |
As a rule of thumb, it takes wineries numerous years of
constant excellence, a protracted string of accolades, and repeated publicity earlier than
they begin having fun with success for his or her winemaking prowess. Les Vignes du Marje,
in simply 9 months since its arrival to market, has already put Marjeyoun on
the map as a bastion of beautiful wine. What has been described as “an iron
fist in a velvet glove” captures the stability Les Vignes du Marje strikes
between restraint and ripeness, construction and softness.
constant excellence, a protracted string of accolades, and repeated publicity earlier than
they begin having fun with success for his or her winemaking prowess. Les Vignes du Marje,
in simply 9 months since its arrival to market, has already put Marjeyoun on
the map as a bastion of beautiful wine. What has been described as “an iron
fist in a velvet glove” captures the stability Les Vignes du Marje strikes
between restraint and ripeness, construction and softness.
 |
| Within the scant 9 months since its debut, Les Vignes du Marje has already drawn public discover |
Khoury has main plans for her ardour venture, which
explains why she’ll be representing Les Vignes du Marje alongside a delegation
of Lebanese wineries at a key wine consortium in Denmark this fall. Projecting forward, her intention is
to reinforce output to no less than 20,000 bottles yearly and to allocate a superb
proportion of manufacturing for export.
explains why she’ll be representing Les Vignes du Marje alongside a delegation
of Lebanese wineries at a key wine consortium in Denmark this fall. Projecting forward, her intention is
to reinforce output to no less than 20,000 bottles yearly and to allocate a superb
proportion of manufacturing for export.
The components for fulfillment are definitely in place: an distinctive
product, rising channels of distribution, constructive phrase of mouth, and, maybe
most critically, pondering huge. If this yr’s wins are a criterion or compass
for the approaching years’ efficiency, then Les Vignes du Marje is positioned for noteworthy
prominence.
product, rising channels of distribution, constructive phrase of mouth, and, maybe
most critically, pondering huge. If this yr’s wins are a criterion or compass
for the approaching years’ efficiency, then Les Vignes du Marje is positioned for noteworthy
prominence.
Mark my phrases, for these wine-stained lips by no means falter! Get
your self a bottle (or 5), and take the time to see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor
each final drop.
 |
| Carol Khoury (proper) toasting with household and associates |
Marjeyoun, Lebanon
+961 3 435 494
